Chief Joseph
Nez Perce (Nimiputimt)

A long time ago, the Nimipu people were not many in number

"I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done. Good words do not
last long unless they amount to something. Words do not pay for my dead
people. They do not pay for my country, now overrun by white men. Good
words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good
words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take
care of themselves. I am TIRED of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my
heart sick when I remember all the good words and broken promises.

The earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough.
We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us.

I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our
hearts more. I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things.
The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but
it does not require many words to speak the truth.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the indian...we can live in
peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike.... give them all
the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. You might
as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who is born a
free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go
where he pleases. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live.
We ask to be recognized as men. Let me be a free man...free to travel...
free to stop...free to work...free to choose my own teachers...free to
follow the religion of my Fathers...free to think and talk and act for
myself."